Senior Professional Engineer / Project Manager - Airfield & Airport

TKDA's Aviation Engineering Team brings expertise in airfield / airport engineering & planning, integrated solutions, and comprehensive services. We are seeking a Senior Civil Professional Engineer / Project Manager who has expertise in Aviation (airfield, airport and/or commercial airline) projects and client management expertise.

As shown by our extensive portfolio, TKDA has a proven history of developing long-term and sustainable aviation planning and design solutions for diverse clients, from large international airports to general aviation airfields and military bases.

We take a "Seller-Doer" approach to business development. You will collaborate with the Vice President of Aviation to further advance our services and enhance our reputation by contributing to the development of marketing plans, cultivating / maintaining relations with clients and agency representatives, tracking prospective opportunities, developing proposals, and delivering client presentations.

TKDA is currently located in San Bernardino with plans to relocate to Downtown Riverside by October 2026. Additional information about the exact location of our Riverside office will be communicated by late May 2026 through a formal press release or 'News' post.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and planning for a variety of complex site development and airfield design projects
• Lead project teams and managing project scopes, schedules, financials, and technical requirements.
• Coach/ mentor less experienced professionals with an emphasis on technical design standards and quality control
• Serve as a technical expert in collaborative engineering environment
• Travel to project sites to develop strong rapport and ongoing relationships with current and potential clients
• Collaborate with passionate engineers, designers, technicians, and planners to provide engineering services to airports across the country including small general aviation airports, large international commercial airports, and military bases
• Attend industry related conferences, trainings and other events to strengthen expertise and foster relationships with potential project partners and clients.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering
• Registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of California
• Minimum of 15 years of design experience related to aviation, transportation, site development or municipal projects; well-versed in the design of roadways, utilities, site grading, drainage and storm water management
• Minimum of 2 years of project management experience
• Reside within or open to relocate to the Riverside, CA area
• Prior business development experience demonstrated by a track record of maintaining client relations and securing new project opportunities
• Proficiency preparing plan sets, specifications, and construction cost estimates
• Ability to apply effective written and verbal communication when developing proposals, preparing technical reports, participating in or leading project team meetings, and delivering client or public presentations
• Flexibility to travel as needed (up to 20%) for team meetings, client consultations, public meetings, site assessments/visits, marketing presentations/interviews, conferences, etc.; Occasional overnight travel may be required
• Must possess a valid Driver's License with a clean driving record

Preferred Qualifications

• 5- 15 years of Aviation project experience
• Previous training or experience with Civil 3D and/or AutoCAD
• Previous training or experience with ArcGIS
• Previous design experience with airfield or airport infrastructure projects
• Previous experience preparing proposals and contract documentation
• Familiarity with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and procedures

$141,500 - $185,000 a year

The listed salary range reflects base pay for candidates with 15-20 years of related experience. Compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities.

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.

In addition, to be considered for this opportunity and to perform the assigned responsibilities, the selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must be able to complete and pass any background, security, and/or drug test requests required by TKDA, clients, and state and/or federal agencies responsible for aviation operations as an on-going condition of employment.

Join Our 100% Employee-Owned Firm

At our company, every employee is an owner. From the front desk to the corner office, every one of our 430+ professionals thrive on collaboration and holistic development. Our success is collective, and so are the rewards.

Comprehensive Benefits

Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one

Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses

HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA-eligible plan

401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals

ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits

Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year

Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.

• Pre-Employment Screening*

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.

• Notice to Recruiters and Placement Agencies*

TKDA will not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or placement agencies unless a service agreement is in place. In the event TKDA receives an unsolicited resume without a service agreement in place, TKDA will not be obligated to pay a service fee of any amount nor will TKDA be held liable to terms or conditions under any agreement of any kind that has not been authorized in writing by a TKDA officer.